User Reviews

Submitted by
Azli Azimi
a Cross Country Rider
from Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia

Date Reviewed: September 18, 2011

Strengths: The finishing of the frame welding is superb and not to mentioned the intricate cnc seat stay yoke is a sight to behold. Stiff frame but it has the ability to soak up bumps.

Weaknesses: Tyres sizes is limited but remember this is a XC Race bike.

Bottom Line:

A nicely crafted piece of frame. It has very precise handling and ride well on any single track. Soak up bumps very well for a XC bike. Its way better than any alloy frame. Lifetime warranty is another plus. Its much more comfortable than any alloy frame that I've ridden or tested. Highly recommended for racer that not into carbon or light alloy frame.

Strengths: Titanium frame really soaks up the bumps.
Well finished with clean welding, CNC dropouts and yoke.
Brushed finish easy to maintain.
Takes a lot of knocks and scrapes and the only damage is to the decals.
You don't see any others around.
Makes me want to go out for bike rides more often than the old boardman.
Relatively cheap for a Ti frame.

Weaknesses: Clearances not great for winter mud-fests on 2.1 inch tyres though I've not been stopped by mud accumulation this winter when others around me have. May invest in 1.9" knobblys next winter.

Bottom Line:

Price is frame only in UK pounds. Its titanium. Almost bomb proof, doesn't rust, is reasonably light, rides beautifully on and off road, soaks up the bumps and is rare. Good value compared to other ti frames. Great over long distances (30-65 miles no problem - not tried any further).

Surprising lack of UK reviews must be down to lack of marketing activity by the company - certainly no problems with the frame.

Buy one if you're fed up with your fillings rattling out on your Aluminum hard-tail, or your steel steed rusting to death or you fancy a nice frame with some different touches.

Don't buy one if you're a design minimalist or require vast mud clearances.

Weaknesses: Rear triangle stiffness could be better. Noticeable on the road but not when riding offroad.

Bottom Line:

Despite my scepticism, titanium indeed offers a different ride than aluminium frames. Van Nicholas offers cheap affordable frames with excellent built quality. Frame has lifetime warranty and Van Nicholas' online service and shipping has been excellent. You can buy directly from their website.

Strengths: I've found the Tuareg to be a great cross country bike, as it's fast and extremely comfortable to ride, even over quite rough ground. The frame build quality is superb, with beautiful details such as the machined titanium seat stay yoke and dropouts, and all the welding is flawless. Van Nicholas titanium frames are supplied unpainted with an un laquered brushed metal finish which is very durable and easy to keep looking like new. Bikes can be customised on the Van Nicholas website so can be tailored to suit the budget and preferences of different riders.

Weaknesses: I purchased the bike initially with Rockshox REBA forks but discovered they clashed with the underside of the downtube. Although this would not affect normal riding, I was worried the frame or fork may get damaged in the event of an accident. Van Nicholas and Cycle Sense (my local dealer) agreed to swap the REBA fork for White Brothers Magic 80 at minimal cost to me. This has aleviated the problem and I like the new fork - the IMV damper works well and is automatic, so easier than the poplock on the Rockshox. A couple of other minor gripes...I would have prefered the frame (and fork) spec'd for disc only and would have liked the crud catch bosses on the downtube (as on the Zion).

Bottom Line:

Fantastic detail and quality, design works very well now that I've got the White Brothers fork, yet it's a very individual and understated bike. For XC riding, i can't think of another bike I'd rather have...